5 years ago, Santiago fire scorched O.C.

Oct. 21, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Overwhelmed by smoke in the battle against the fire that engulfed Modjeska Canyon, a firefighter passes by the Modjeska Canyon and Santiago Canyon intersection in the Santiago fire of 2007. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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In this 2007 file photo, the Santiago fire burns at the intersection of Modjeska Canyon Road and Santiago Canyon Road. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The Santiago fire burns across Modjeska Canyon in this aerial photo made Oct. 23, 2007. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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During the 2007 Santiago fire, firefighters battled a blaze in vegetation between homes in Foothill Ranch. Fire authorities say the type of vegetation surrounding a house can make a big difference in survival. Complete lists of desirable and undesirable plants and vegetation management tips can be found at ReadySetGoOc.org. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A structure near Modjeska Canyon burns during the 2007 Santiago fire. Fire experts say the type of vegetation surrounding a house can make a big difference in saving the property. Complete lists of desirable and undesirable plants, along with vegetation-management tips, can be found at ReadySetGoOc.org. THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A home at 1695 Modjeska Canyon Road burns while firefighters protected other nearby homes during the 2007 Santiago fire. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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In this photo taken in October 2007, 30-year Modjeska Canyon resident Sal Giacinto, 54, surveys the home of his friends, Jim and Diane Carter. The landmark geodesic dome burned to the ground in the Santiago fire. THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Near Silverado Canyon, at the ignition point of the 2007 arson-caused Santiago fire, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Marc Stone pauses to note the lack of moisture in the crunchy dry brush on Aug. 14, 2012. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Days after the 2007 Santiago fire destroyed their homes, David Beasley guides his mother through the ruins. Their homes on Santiago Canyon Road burned the same day that homes nearby in Modjeska Canyon were destroyed. BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Jim Carter, owner of the landmark dome house on Modjeska Grade Road, gets a hug from neighbor Nancy Kustich as he stands among the ruins in this 2007 file photo. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Overwhelmed by smoke in the battle against the fire that engulfed Modjeska Canyon, a firefighter passes by the Modjeska Canyon and Santiago Canyon intersection in the Santiago fire of 2007.LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Santiago fire progression, plant life

Hot Santa Ana winds swirled and blustered, turning the arid hillsides of Santiago Canyon into a fuse waiting for a spark.

On Oct. 21, 2007 – about 50 feet from the side of Santiago Canyon Road – an arsonist started the fire that would scorch more than 28,000 acres and destroy 14 homes in the Santiago fire. The arsonist was gone by the time Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Dave Spencer and his crew arrived.

The blaze had consumed three acres when the first firefighters arrived, but Spencer could see it was picking up speed. Reinforcements were on the way, but Spencer put in an urgent request for 10 more engines. By the time he finished his call, the fire had spread to 10 acres.

Five years after the wildfire, firefighters, investigators and residents looked back at the 19 days they spent battling the flames, documenting its history, and searching for the person responsible for the destruction.

"This was a fire that was going to move and there was no way we were going to get a handle in the first minutes," Spencer said. "Everyone understood the significance of what was happening."

The blaze was still outrunning fire crews when arson investigators headed out to the ignition point. Five years later, investigators have narrowed their search, but a suspect is still at large.

Out in Silverado Canyon, resident Chay Peterson grabbed her camera and began to film the flames.

She had no idea then of the scale of the fire or that fact Orange County firefighters would be left to fight it on their own for more than 48 hours.

Along with a handful of holdouts, she and her husband ignored evacuation orders in Silverado Canyon and captured the 19 days on video. In it, there are moments of anxiety, hope, and relief, but it would take nearly five years for her to share it.

But cleanup, rain and mudslides after the fire took up her time. It wasn't until January of this year that she edited almost six hours of video into a 90-minute documentary.

The online video illustrates the community's most perilous moments, when she and her neighbors questioned the lack of reinforcements and air support attacking the flames.

In 2007, the O.C. firefighters had two Vietnam War-era Huey helicopters that could not be flown safely during the first days due to strong winds, and did not have the ability to fly at night.

"I haven't seen the helicopter for awhile," Peterson commented on the video on Oct. 22, 2007, the day after the fire began. "What happened?"

Though the county made requests for air and ground assistance, Orange County was low on the list of counties asking for help from neighboring agencies to fight large brush fires in the state. The flames spread.

Peterson's anxiety is clear in the video as she tried to reassure herself: "God loves this canyon. It's not going to burn."

The fire moved faster than anyone expected, said Capt. Marc Stone. As firefighters crafted a battle plan, they hoped to use the 241 toll road to stop its eastward movement.

No one expected the flames to jump six lanes.

According to the after-fire report, flames traveled three miles within 20 minutes. In two hours, 5,000 acres were scorched. After 16 hours, 15,000 acres were consumed.

Peterson's documentary captures the eventual arrival of outside agencies and the excitement of residents who watched fire retardant being dropped. It also captures tense moments, including a deputy yelling at a resident to leave the area.

At one point, 170 agencies helped battle the flames with about 2,000 firefighters on the lines, but the majority of the acreage, and all but two homes, were scorched in the first two days.

CATCH THE MATCH

As the fire spread, about 40 investigators were searching for the arsonist. Officials from the FBI, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Sheriff's Department, and the Orange County Fire Authority were on the case.

Dave Leonard, from OCFA, remains the lead investigator and continues to search.

Investigators combed through 1,300 tips and 200 leads, Leonard said.

Officials at the time said the fire was possibly lit with the assistance of a liquid. Leonard said several liquid samples were tested.

More than 200 people have been interviewed, Leonard said.

"We do have some evidence and persons of interest, but the trail has gone pretty cold at this point," he said.

Investigators narrowed the search to three suspects, he said, but no arrests have been made.

THE AFTERMATH

The Santiago fire was a turning point, officials said. After struggling to get help from outside agencies, officials came to a realization.

"We had to be self-sufficient in the first 24 to 48 hours," said Battalion Chief Kris Concepcion.

About 50 fire apparatus – including trucks and engines – are fully equipped and ready to be manned if there is a need today. Two new helicopters were purchased in 2009, and now have the ability to fly at night.

Firefighters understand some fires can't be predicted, but despite budget shortfalls, the OCFA has worked to be more prepared since the Santiago fire, Concepcion said.

"Can we prevent another Santiago fire from happening? Not fully. That fire was going to get big regardless," he said.

Five years and several lessons later, fire officials hope they are better prepared for the next fight.

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